often irreverent, sometimes insightful thoughts about education

Tag: literature

The Daily Post’s writing prompt “Trick Questions” posed a situation in which a Pulitzer-winning reporter is writing an in-depth piece — about me. We all know that the interviewee does not control the interview, and we’ve seen some uncomfortable interviews. The prompt asked me to consider what three questions I really hope I am not asked. Although … More Do We Have to Talk About That?

As everyone knows education is always underfunded, and my school is no exception. We do the best with what we have, but our schedule changed this year, and where I formerly only had a maximum of 30 students who would read a novel at one time, I now have 64. This means that we need … More Every Little Bit Helps!

Why one English teacher has no plans to read Go Set a Watchman I’ve been teaching Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird for almost my entire career. I have dissected, analyzed, and scrutinized every word, action, and character in that novel. One would think that a new related masterpiece by Harper Lee would have me … More Atticus: The Dark Knight? Not in this Universe

Tracey Rains

I have been a high school English teacher for over twenty-five years. In 2015, I was honored to be recognized a Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award. I love teaching and getting to know my students. I believe education is the only hope for individuals, communities, and the world. When I'm not working, I love music, television (shhh.. don't tell my students!), mystery and science-fiction novels, great coffee, and interesting food.